The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-26
/: BY THE WAYSIDE.
How Bill Benson Kept the Oath BE
Sacredly Swore.

It was about the middle of Decem-
Der. Winter had set i'll i'll earnest.
The wind howled through the streets.
Pedestrians drew themselves into
the innermost recesses Of their great
coats to avoid contact with the frosty
air.
Near midnight. my days toll being
completed, I laid aside my pen.
wrapped myself up snugly and stepped
out into the storm, homeward bound.
It was an awful night. The hard
frozen snow drifted in binding clouds
before the biting northwest wind. The
first gust went through my heavy
clothing like knife, and forced me
into run to quicken the sluggish flow
of my blood. Bat few passengers APP
peared on the streets; the cars had
ceased moving; the night was almost
alone with the storm.
Evening paper, sir. Won't you
buy. please?'
1t was the pleading voice OF little
newsgirl.
During a journalistic career of sew
eral years, l had grown accustomed to
appeals like this at all hours and at all
seasons.
There was no attraction for me at
that moment in any paper, but there
was something in the plaintive tone of
the childs words that induced me to
turn and look into the pinched yet
beautiful face.
Only one left; won't you buy, sir?'
she repeated.
How is it you are out so late on
such night, little oneP" asked.
Haven't sold out yet" was the SIM
pie explanation.
"And will you 60 right home if l buy
your last paper?"
Yes, sir, as soon as Billy has sold
out"
"And who is BillyP" l inquired.
"Oh, he's my chum; he's over there
on the other corner" and following
the motion Of her hand l saw crouch
ing in doorway the shivering figure
of a half-clad boy, who still had papers
to sell under his arm.
/ purchased the girls last paper,
and urging her to get home speedily,
stepped into dark and convenient door
way to await developments, for instinct
told me that would find therein not
only food for thought, but material for
future use.
She dashed across the street in the
direction of Billy, needless of every
thing else. while the cutting wind tore
through her thin cotton dress and
threatened to carry her away bodily.
1--we sold out, Billy" l heard her
: shout gleefully, as she ran up to the
shvering lad. How many have you
8 got left9"
,.,.g.." Two"
s<?..ss- IN take one, and let's 60 home. "
.,a aBilly response to this generous pro-
s +posal was lost in the roar of the storm.
but actions speak louder than words.
- Paper, sir!" he cried, running up
p IDA man who was passing. offering
y han the latest news from all parts OF
1.-The earth for cent. But, without
even looking at the little fellow, the
gentleman passed on.
AS if in pitiless contempt for the
unsuccessful efforts of the little mer.
chant to dispose of his stock in trade,
the wind howled and shrieked about
the corners more fiercely than before.
Billy hesitated but moment, then
grasping his two papers tightly under
one arm and placing the other, with ;
large half of his ill-titting coat, about
: the form of his little girl chum, he
started off in al easterly direction.
| could hear no sound of his voice,
but Billy's actions said: Little chum
you would wait in the cold for me
you would even share my loss on the
papers couldn't sell; you are alto
gether too good to stay out this terri
Ole night for my sake, SO come home
My, how, cold you must be, let mt
Keep the wind of" and so h
wrapped his coat about the frail Great
sure and placing her on the sheltered
!. side of his own half-clad figure, th'
newsboy and his friend set out oil
their dreary way.
The storm increased In violence
Ny way would have led me in thu
Teeth Of tho blast and / was tempted
70 return to the Office for the night
put the desire to know more of Bill.
and his companion burned within me
AN influence that had no inclinatio
70 resist impeled ma Il, fnllaw them